Times Up seeks repeat in Doncaster Cup; Ihtimal tops May
Hill
Having provided his retiring former trainer John Dunlop with an emotive
send-off in last year’s Group 2 Doncaster Cup, Times Up is back on Town Moor
Friday to bid for back-to-back renewals for the Master of Arundel’s son Ed.
Slower to come to hand this term, the seven-year-old was only third in the
Lonsdale Cup that he also annexed in 2012 when last seen at York’s Ebor meeting
August 23, but his conditioner believes there is more to come.
“It sounds bizarre as we’re in September now, but it feels almost like this
is his second run of the season,” Ed Dunlop told PA Sport. “He had some problems
and we weren’t happy with him, but he ran well at York and he looks in very good
form. He has won races on fast ground and softer ground, the only thing he
wouldn’t want is if it went too soft.”
James Fanshawe re-opposes with High Jinx, who was second to Times Up in both
the Lonsdale and Doncaster Cups last term before filling the same spot in the
Prix du Cadran at Longchamp in October. Dry conditions have meant that he has
been restricted to a sole outing so far this season, when fourth in the Henry II
at Sandown May 30, and he will appreciate this easier surface.
Godolphin’s 2012 Ascot Gold Cup hero Colour Vision has to arrest a slump of
late, but was fourth in the most recent edition of the Royal Ascot highlight
June 20. Racing Manager Simon Crisford is not confident.
“He has been training well, but we would like to have seen the ground
quicker, as it will turn into a real test,” Crisford said.
Godolphin has a much stronger chance in the Group 2 May Hill. They have won
the last three renewals, and return Friday with a filly who fits the right
formula in Ihtimal. Like two of her predecessors — White Moonstone and Certify
— the Saeed bin Suroor-trained homebred captured Newmarket’s Sweet Solera en
route and she looked set for bigger things in that August 10 seven-furlong
contest.
“Ihtimal is a top filly, who tries very hard, and I was really happy with her
win at Newmarket,” her trainer commented. “She has been working nicely and the
step up to a mile should be no problem. I am hopeful of another good effort from
her.”
Also in the royal blue is the Charlie Appleby-trained Majeyda, who booked her
ticket with a neck defeat of Shadwell’s re-opposing subsequent Prestige
runner-up Qawaasem in Sandown’s listed Star Stakes over seven furlongs July 25.
“I was very pleased with Majeyda’s victory at Sandown and she had a little
break afterwards,” Appleby said. “I feel that she will appreciate stepping up to
a mile and should run a big race.”
An unexposed type who could be anything is Poilin Good’s Lustrous, who scored
on debut for Richard Hannon in a seven-furlong maiden at Salisbury eight days
ago.
“Lustrous was impressive when winning her maiden, but that was on fast ground
so we don’t know how she would cope if it gets any softer come the May Hill,”
her conditioner warned Thursday.
The filly Wind Fire rates as a top threat on the cutback to five furlongs in
the Group 2 Flying Childers. Her best results have come at this trip — a third
to No Nay Never in the Norfolk and a victory in the St Hugh’s at Newbury. Other
contenders include Hannon’s pair of Thunder Strike and Fast; Ambiance, most
recently fourth in the Phoenix; and Windsor Castle winner Extortionist.
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